The Iconic VW Van in the Middle East

Volkswagen’s “hippie van” was the preferred mode of transportation for peace lovers during the 1960s, but Brazil is shutting down the last production line this year to meet rigorous new safety requirements. See our nostalgic photo tour of VW vans in the Middle East.

Although VW vans are a fixture of life in Brazil, often masquerading as school buses and lunch trucks, sources told NPR that they have to shut down production because new vehicular safety requirements dictate that by 2014, all new vehicles must have air bags.

Special editions will be created throughout the last year of production, so, if you have never taken a road trip in a VW Van, or you’re thinking about investing in a vehicle that will last forever, maybe think about heading to Brazil – even before the next Olympic Games.

2 thoughts on “The Iconic VW Van in the Middle East”

Whoever wrote this article must be kidding. Vw Pullman (bus) was the only public transportation car during the early sixties of the last century in Khartoum, Sudan. They are still around but only as private cars. I own a blue and white 1979 model that is in semi-perfect condition, together with my white 1964 bug.